Ellenbrook: Malvern Springs students to commemorate Rua with haka and poi dance

Malvern Springs Primary School, where Rua Petersen attended, with tributes left by family and friends.

MALVERN Springs Primary School students will commemorate Rua Petersen at a special assembly with the haka and poi dance on Monday in honour of the murdered eight-year-old.

The private tribute will be a chance for classmates, teachers, parents and family members to remember, honour and celebrate the lives of Rua and his mother Michelle and sister Bella.

Paying homage to the Petersens’ Maori heritage, a group of boys will perform the Ka Mate haka as a celebration of life over death while the girls plan to do a Waiata poi dance.

Students will be given a ribbon to wear in Rua’s favourite colour, purple, and bubbles to blow to farewell the family.

Ahead of the ceremony, the P&C Association put out a call to the school’s Maori community requesting the assistance of anyone able to teach the students the traditional performances.

“If you are available to come to Malvern Springs Primary on Monday at 9.15am to teach the boys Ka Mate and the girls Waiata (yet to be confirmed) then please come,” the association posted on Facebook.

“We are seeking parents or community members who can provide guidance and assistance with Haka and Poi dance for our students, at the school remembrance ceremony for Rua and family, this Monday afternoon at 3:10pm.”